Aminoindan derivatives

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to compounds of the following formula:                    
     wherein when a is 0, b is 1 or 2; when a is 1, b is 1, m is from 0-3, X is O or S, Y is halogeno, R 1  is hydrogen C 1-4  alkyl, R 2  is hydrogen, C 1-4  alkyl, or optionally substituted propargyl and R 3  and R 4  are each independently hydrogen, C 1-6  alkyl, C 6-12  aryl, C 6-12  aralkyl each optionally substituted. 
     This invention is also directed to the use of these compounds for treating depression, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette&#39;s Syndrome, Alzheimer&#39;s Disease and other dementia&#39;s such as senile dementia, dementia of the Parkinson&#39;s type, vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. 
     This invention is further directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the above-defined compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/336,493, filedJun. 18, 1999, a continuation of PCT International Application No.PCT/US97/24155, filed Dec. 18, 1997, designating the United States ofAmerica and claiming priority of Israeli Patent Application Nos. 119853,filed Dec. 18, 1996 and 120510, filed Mar. 24, 1997, the contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel compounds, pharmaceuticalcompositions containing said compounds and their use in the treatment ofvarious CNS disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dementia exists in several forms including static dementia,Alzheimer's-type dementia, senile dementia, presenile dementia andprogressive dementia. One of the common pathological features of severaltypes of dementia is the lack of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.This has led to the development of acetylcholine esterase inhibitors foruse in the treatment of dementias such as the compound tacrine. Asummary of the different approaches to and progress made in thetreatment of Alzheimer's Disease may be found in Drugs of the Future(1995) 20(11): 1145-1162.

Recently, compounds that in addition to inhibiting acetylcholineesterase, possess inhibitory activity against monoamine oxidase type A(MAO-A) have been developed. The perceived benefit of having theanti-MAO-A activity is stated to be an anti-depressant effect (EuropeanPatent Publication Nos. 614,888 and 664,291).

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,387,133, 5,453,446, 5,457,133 and 5,519,061 alldisclose that the compound (R)-N-propargyl-1-aminoindan, a highlyselective monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor is effective in thetreatment of dementias of the Alzheimer type and memory disorders. Thereis no indication given therein that the compound might haveacetylcholine esterase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, the compound isonly very weakly active as a MAO-A inhibitor.

PCT International Publication No. WO95/18617 discloses variousaminoindan derivatives that are active in a variety of CNS disordersincluding dementias of the Alzheimer type. There is no indication giventherein that any of the compounds disclosed might have acetylcholineesterase inhibitory activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compounds of formula I

wherein when a is 0; b is 1 or 2; when a is 1, b is 1; m is from 0 to 3;X is C or S; Y is halogeno; R₁ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R₂ ishydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl or optionally substituted propargyl; and R₃ and R₄are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₆₋₁₂ aralkylor C₆₋₁₂ cycloalkyl optionally substituted.

The invention relates to the compounds themselves, pharmaceuticalcompositions containing said compounds and their use in the treatment ofdepression, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit andHyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Tourette's Syndrome, Alzheimer's Diseaseand other dementias such as senile dementia, presenile dementia,progressive dementia, dementia of the Parkinson's type, vasculardementia and Lewy body dementia.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of thecompounds of formula I in the treatment of neurotraumatic disorder. Asused herein the term “neurotraumatic disorder” is meant to includedamage caused to the nervous system (both central and peripheral) byvirtue of ischemic damage such as that which occurs in stroke, hypoxiaor anoxia, neurodegenerative diseases, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer'sDisease, Huntington's Disease, neurotoxic injury, head trauma injury,spinal trauma injury, peripheral neuropathy or any form of nerve damage.

An additional aspect of the present invention relates to the use of thecompounds of formula I in the treatment of memory disorder ordepression.

The present invention relates to the racemic compounds themselves andoptically active enantiomers thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the reduction in latency for mice after closed head injuryin the Morris Water Maze Test after treatment with compound 1, compound10 or Saline (Control) The arrow shows the time off closed head injury.

FIG. 2 shows the reduction in latency for mice after closed head injuryin the Morris Water Maze Test after treatment with compound 24, compound25 or Saline (Control) The arrow shows the time of closed head injury.

FIG. 3 shows the reduction in latency for mice after closed head injuryin the Morris Water Maze Test after treatment with compound 37, compound39 or Saline (Control). The arrow shows the time off closed head injury.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to compound of Formula I:

wherein when a is 0, b is 1 or 2; when a is 1, b is :, m is from 0-3, Xis O or S; Y is halogeno; R₁ is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl; R₂ is hydrogen,C₁₋₄ alkyl, or optionally substituted propargyl and R₃ and R₄ are eachindependently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₆₋₁₁ aryl, C₆₋₁₁; aralkyl or C₆₋₁₁cycloalkyl each optionally substituted.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a is 0 and b is 1. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, a is 0, b is 1, and X is O.

In an embodiment of the present invention, X is O. In an additionalembodiment of the present invention, X is S.

In an embodiment of the present invention, R₁ is selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or optionally substitutedpropargyl.

In another embodiment of the present invention, R₁ is propargyl.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the compound isselected from the group consisting of: (rac) 6-(N-methyl,N-ethyl-carbanyloxy)-N′-propargyl-1-aminoindan HCl; (rac)6-(N,N-dimethyl, carbanyloxy)-N′-methyl-N′-propargyl-1-aminoindan HCl;(rac) 6-(N-methyl, N-ethyl-carbamyloxy)-N′-propargyl-1 -aminotetralinHCl; (rac)6-(N,N-dimethyl-thiocarbamyloxy)-1-aminoindan HCl;(rac)6-(N-propyl-carbamyloxy)-N′-propargyl-1-aminoindan HCl;(rac)5-chloro-6-(N-methyl,N-propyl-carbamyloxy)-N′-propargyl-1-aminoindan HCl; (S)-6-(N-methyl,N-propyl-carbamyloxy)-N′-propargyl-1-aminoindan HCl; and(R)-6-(N-methyl, N-ethyl-carbamyloxy)-N′-propargyl-1-aminoindanhemi-(L)-tartrate.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, R₁ is hydrogen, methylor ethyl and R₂ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl or optionally substitutedpropargyl. In a further embodiment of the present invention, thepropargyl group is substituted with a C₁-₄ alkyl group on the methylenegroup (R₆ in Scheme I)

According to the present invention, the term “halogeno” is used to referto fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when m is greater than 1 eachY may be the same or different.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the groupOC(X)NR₃R₄ is on the 4, 6 or 7 position of the indan ring counting fromthe amino substituted carbon.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one of R₃ andR₄ is methyl and the other is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl,hexyl, phenyl, benzyl or cyclohexyl.

In the practice of this invention, pharmaceutically acceptable saltsinclude, but are not limited to, the esylate, mesylate, maleate,fumarate, tartrate, hemi-tartarate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide,p-toluenesulfonate, benzoate, acetate, phosphate and sulfate salts.

The subject invention further provides a pharmaceutical compositionwhich comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a compound offormula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The “therapeutically effectiveamount” of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof may be determined according to methods well known to thoseskilled in the art, indications of such amounts are given below.

These compositions may be prepared as medicaments go be administeredorally, parenterally, rectally, or transdermally.

Suitable forms for oral administration include tablets, compressed orcoated pills, dragees, sachets, hard or soft gelatin capsules,sublingual tablets, syrups and suspensions. In one embodiment, thepharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a solid and the pharmaceuticalcomposition is a tablet. The therapeutically effective amount may be anamount from about 0.5 mg to about 2000 mg, preferably from about 1 mg toabout 1000 mg.

In an alternative embodiment, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier isa liquid and the pharmaceutical composition is an injectable solution.The therapeutically effective amount may be an amount from about 0.5 mgto about 2000 mg, preferably from about 1 mg to about 1000 mg. Thevolume administered may be an amount between 0.5 and 10 ml.

In a further alternative embodiment, the carrier is a gel and thepharmaceutical composition is a suppository. For parenteraladministration the invention provides ampoules or vials that include anaqueous or non-aqueous solution or emulsion. For rectal administrationthere are provided suppositories with hydrophilic or hydrophobicvehicles. For topical application as ointments and transdermal deliverythere are provided suitable delivery systems as known in the art. Fororal or suppository formulations, 0.5-2000 mg per dosage unit andpreferably 1-1000 mg per dosage unit.

These compositions may be used alone to treat the above-listeddisorders, or alternatively, for example, in the case of Alzheimer'sDisease, they may be used as an adjunct to the conventional treatmentssuch as haloperidol, tacrine or deprenyl.

The invention will be better understood from the Experimental Detailswhich follow. However, one skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the specific methods and results discussed are merely illustrativeof the invention as described more fully in the claims which followthereafter.

EXAMPLES

Compounds of general formula I may be prepared, as shown in Scheme I,from the corresponding carbamoyl derivatives of aminoindan III byreacting the latter with propargyl compounds bearing an appropriateleaving group at the 3-position, e.g. a halide group, mesylate,tosylate, etc., under basic cenditions provided by an inorganic base,e.g. K₂CO₃, NaOH, or an organic base e.g. a tertiary amine, in a polarorganic solvent, e.g. CH₃CN, DMF, etc., at 15-40° C., preferably at20-25° C., for a period of time in the range of 5-48 hours, preferably20-30 hours. The products, obtained after a suitable work-up andpurification, are in the form of free bases. Preferably these areconverted into their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, e.g. HCl,mesylate, hemi-tartarate, etc.

As shown in Scheme I, compounds of general formula III may be preparedby Boc deprotection of compounds of general formula IV. In turn,compounds of general formula IV may be prepared by carbamylating acompound of general formula V in a conventional manner, e.g. by reactingthe compound of formula V with an appropriate carbamoyl halogenide or byan alkylisocyanate. Finally, compounds of general formula V may beprepared by Boc protection of the appropriate hydroxy amines, by methodsknown to those skilled in the art. N,N-dialkyl aminoindan derivativesmay be prepared as shown on in Scheme I by the direct carbamylation ofthe corresponding N,N-dialkyl-hydroxy-aminoindan or by alkylation of acompound of formula III.

Although Scheme I shows the preparation of carbamoyl derivatives thesame process and description above is relevant to the preparation of thethiocarbamates of the present invention.

Starting Materials

6- and 7-Hydroxy-1-aminoindans may be prepared by demethylation of therespective 6- and 7-methoxy-1-aminoindans. The latter may be obtainedfrom the corresponding 1-indanones, either by their conversion to theoximes, followed by reduction, or by their reductive amination (NaCNBH₃and NH₄OAc)².

6-Hydroxy aminoindan may also be prepared from aminoindan via aregioselective Friedel—Crafts acylation of a suitably N-protectedaminoindan, followed by a Baeyer—Williger oxidation and finallyhydrolysis⁵. 6-hydroxy-(R)-1-aminoindan may thus be prepared by themethod described in the Example below and Scheme II, wherein “R” isoptionally substituted alkyl.

N-Methyl-6-hydroxy-1-aminoindan was prepared by demethylation of6-methoxy-N-methyl-1-aminoindan, which was prepared from6-methoxy-1-aminoindan by reductive alkylation (e.g. ethyl formate,followed by LiAlH₄ reduction), or alternatively, by reductive amination(MeNH₂, HCl, NaCNBH₃) of 6-methoxy-1-indanone².N-ethyl-6-hydroxy-1-aminoindan was obtained by acetylation of6-hydroxy-1-aminoindan (Ac₂O, KOH), followed by reduction (LiAH₄).N,N-Dimethyl-6-hydroxy-1-aminoindan was prepared by demethylation of thecorresponding 6-methoxy analogue, which was prepared by reductivealkylation (formaldehyde, formic acid) of 6-methoxy-1-aminoindan.4-Hydroxy-1-aminoindan may be prepared from 4-hydroxy indanone byconverting the latter to the oxime, followed by reduction¹. 4-Hydroxyindanone may be prepared from dihydrocoumarin.³

7-Hydroxy-1-aminotetralin and 7-hydroxy-2-aminotetralin were prepared bydemethylation of the corresponding 7-methoxy analogues. The latter wereprepared by reductive amination (as above) of the corresponding7-methoxy 1- and 2-tetralones.

7-Methoxy-2-tetralone was prepared from 2,7-dimethoxytetralin accordingto Copinga, et al⁴.

Preparation of 6-Hydroxy-(R)-1-aminoindan (As Shown in Scheme II)

N-Trifluoroacetyl-(R)-1-aminoindan

To a cooled (0-5° C.) solution of trifluoroacetic anhydride (194.6 g,0.926 mol) in toluene (680 ml) was added dropwise a solution of(R)-1-aminoindan (base) (113.32 g 0.85 mol) in toluene (50 ml) andstirred under ice-cooling for 3½ hours. A solution of KOH (67.25 g, 1.2mol) in water (1000 ml) was then added, under cooling. The reactionmixture was stirred for further 2 hours at room temperature andfiltered. The solid was collected by filtration, washed with water (680ml) and dried in vacuo at 60° C. to give 152 g (78%) of a white solid,mp:153-154° C. The solution was evaporated in vacuum and the crystalswere filtered and washed with water. The solid was dried in vacuo at 60°C. The second crop (25 g) was crystallized from a mixture of hexane andethyl acetate to give 189 (9%) of a white solid, mp:153-154° C. Thetotal yield was 170 g (87%).

6-Chloroacetyl-N-trifluoroacetyl-(R)-1-aminoindan

To a suspension of AlCl₃ (89.2 g, 0.67 mol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (600ml) was added chloroacetyl chloride (55.7 ml, 78.9 g, 0.7 mol) dropwiseat 0-5° C. under nitrogen for 20 minutes and it was then left to warm upto 20-25° C. To this mixture was addedN-trifluoroacetyl-(R)-1-aminoindan (34.4 g, 0.15 mol) for 3 hours at20-25° C. The resulting mixture was then stirred for an additional 30minutes and poured into a mixture of ice-cold water (1.5 l) and1,2-dichloroethane (1l). The mixture was stirred for 5 minutes and thelayers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with1,2-dichloroethane (2×750 ml). The combined organic layers were washedwith water (2×900 ml) and 5% aqueous NaHCO₃ solution (3×900 ml). Theorganic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄) and the solvent was removed underreduced pressure to give a solid, which was recrystallized from ethanolto give 15 g (48%) of a white solid mp: 166-167° C.

6-Chloroacetoxyl-N-trifluoroacetyl-(R)-1-aminoindan

6-Choroacetyl-N-trifluoroacetyl-(R)-1-aminoindan (30.57 g, 0.1 mol) wasdissolved in anhydrous dichloromethane (210 ml) and3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (70%, 44.87 g, 0.26 mol) was added all atonce. The suspension was cooled to 0° C. and trifluoroacetic acid (11.4g, 0.1 mol) was added dropwise for 5-10 minutes. The reaction flask wasprotected from light and the mixture was stirred for 3-5 days at roomtemperature. The reaction mixture was poured into water (300 ml.). Themixture was neutralized with ammonium hydroxide solution. The layerswere separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane(200 ml). The combined organic layers were dried (Na₂SO₄) and thesolvent was removed under reduced pressure to give a solid, which wasrecrystallized from ethanol to give 15 g (48%) of a white solid mp:169-170° C.

6-Hydroxy-(R)-1-aminoindan

A suspension of 6-chloroacetoxy-N-trifluoroacetyl-(R)-1-aminoindan(25.4, 0.11 mol) and K₂CO₃ (38.0 g, 0.275 mol) in a mixture of methanol(275 ml) and water (175 ml) was stirred at 70° C. for 1.5 hours.Methanol was removed in vacuo, and the aqueous phase was neutralizedwith 10% hydrochloric acid. The mixture was filtered and the solid waswashed with water. The mother liquor was evaporated under reducedpressure to a small volume. The suspension was neutralized, filtered andthe brown solids were crystallized from methanol (twice) to give 7.0 g(43%) of a white solid mp:200-203° C.

Preparation of the corresponding S-enantiomer may be carried out in thesame manner using (S)-1-aminoindan as the starting material.

Resolution of Enantiomers

The R- and S-enantiomers of each compound may be obtained by opticalresolution of the corresponding racemic mixtures. Such a resolution canbe accomplished by any conventional resolution method well known to aperson skilled in the art, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.4,833,273, issued May 23, 1989 (Goel) and in J. Jacques, A. Collet andS. Wilen, “Enantiomers, Racemates and Resolutions,” Wiley, N.Y. (1981).For example, the resolution may be carried out by preparativechromatography on a chiral column. Another example of a suitableresolution method is the formation of diastereomeric salts with a chiralacid such as tartaric, malic, mandelic acid or N-acetyl derivatives ofamino acids, such as N-acetyl leucine, followed by recrystallization toisolate the diastereomeric salt of the desired enantiomer.

Alternatively, selected starting materials, intermediates or endproducts may be resolved into their respective enantiomers by the methoddescribed in PCT International Application Publication No.WO/96US/21640, wherein the compound to be resolved is first convertedinto its N-benzyl derivative. The N-benzyl derivative is then resolvedusing either R or S-mandelic acid. The resolved product is converted toits base and reduced under acidic conditions to provide the desiredenantiomer. Preferably, the starting material is resolved prior to Bocprotection and carbamylation.

The R and S enantiomers of the starting materials may also be preparedfrom R and S enantiomers c: aminoindan via a regioselectiveFriedel—Crafts acylation so a suitably N-protected optical isomer ofaminoindan, followed by a Baeyer-Williger oxidation and finallyhydrolysis⁵, thus obviating the need for optical resolution.

REFERENCES

1. Y. Oshiro, et al, J. Med. Chem. 34: 2004 (1991);

2. R. F. Borch, et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 93:, 2897 (1971);

3. J. G. Cannon, et al, J. Med. Chem. 28: 515 (1985);

4. S. C. Copinga, et al, J. Med. Chem. 36: 2891 (1993); and

5. K. Teranishi et al, Synthesis 1018 (1994).

Preparation of Compounds of the Invention as Shown in Scheme I

A: Boc—protection and carbamylation

1. Boc Protection

6-hydroxy N-Boc aminoindan

A solution of 6-hydroxy aminoindan (16 g, 107 mmol), di-t-butyldicarbonate (23.8 g, 109.2 mmol) and Et₃N (16.74 ml, 120 mmol) in THF(375 ml) was stirred at room temperature (RT) for 20 hrs. The reactionmixture was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, and theresidue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (200 ml), washed with water (200 ml),dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure. Thecrude product was purified by column chromatography (hexane/EtOAc 2:1)to give 23 g of a solid (86%).

2. Carbamylation

6-(N-Me, N-Et carbamyloxy) N-Boc aminoindan

To a stirred and ice-cooled solution of N-Boc 6-hydroxy aminoindan (7.5g, 30 mmol) in acetonitrile (75 ml) was added N-Me,N-Et carbamoylchloride (6.3 g, 51.8 mmol), followed by a dropwise addition of NaH (60%in oil, 1.56 g, 39 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hrs atRT under argon. After evaporation of the solvent in-vacuo, water (100ml) was added, and extracted with ether (3×100 ml). The organic phasewas washed with dilute NaOH (pH 10-11), dried and evaporated to drynessin-vacuo. Purification by column chromatography (hexane:EtOAc 2:1)afforded 7.8 g (77%) of an oil.

In this manner the intermediates in Tables 1 and 2 were prepared. InTable 1 and all further Tables the heading “position” refers to the ringposition of the carbamyl group unless otherwise indicate

TABLE 1 N-Boc protected carbamyloxy aminoindans

position Y R1 R3 R4 yield (%) 6- H H Me Me 92 6- H H Me Pr 95 6- H H MeEt 77 7- H H Me Me 92 7- H H Me Et 83 7- H H Me Pr 95 6- H Et Me Me 766- H Me Me Me 92 7- H Me Me Me 78 6- H Me Me Pr 80 6- H H Me n-hexyl 984- H H Me Me 85 4- H H Me Et 87 6- H H Me Et 89 6- H H Me cyclohexyl 986- H H Me p-OMe-phenyl 97 6- H H Me phenyl 93 6- H H Me CH₂-phenyl 83 6-5-Cl H Me Et 88 6- 5-Cl H Me Pr 97 6- H H Me Bu 99 6- H H Et Bu 93 6- HH Et cyclohexyl 94

TABLE 2 N-Boc protected carbamyloxy arninotetralins

position of amine R1 R3 R4 yield (%) 2- H Me Me 85 2- H Me Et 79 1- H MeMe 85 1- H Me Et 98

B: Boc—Deprotection

6-(N-Me,N-Et Carbamyloxy) aminoindan HCl (Compound 3)

6-(N-Me,N-Et Carbamyloxy) N-Boc aminoindan (7.8 g, 23.3 mmol) wasdissolved in dioxane (80 ml), and a 20% solution of gas. HCl in dioxane(80 ml) was added. After 2 hr stirring at RT the solvent was evaporatedin-vacuo and the residue was treated with dry ether (200 ml) and themixture stirred at RT for 4 hrs and filtered, to give 6.15 g (0.7 mmol,97%) of 6-(N-Me, N-Et carbamyloxy) aminoindan hydrochloride.

In this manner the following compounds of general formula I as shown inTables 3, 3a and 4 were prepared. Spectral data relating to thesecompounds is given in Tables 7, 7a and 8.

TABLE 3 Carbamyloxy aminoindan HCl salts

cryst/ slurry yield # position R1, R2 R3 R4 solvent mp(° C.) (%)  1 6-H, H Me Me Et₂O 156-8 93  2 6- H, H Me Pr Et₂O 165-7 27  3 6- H, H Me EtEt₂O 150-2 50  4 7- H, H Me Me Et₂O  156-60 93  5 7- H, H Me Et Et₂O185-7 55  6 7- H, H Me Pr Et₂O 153-5 33  7 6- H, Et Me Me Et₂O 172-4 91 8 6- H, Me Me Me Et₂O  178-80 88  9 7- H, Me Me Me dioxane  169-71 9810 6- H, Me Me Et Et₂O 172-4 87 11 6- H, Me Me Pr Et₂O 165-7 98 12 6-Me, Me Me Me Et₂O 164-6 62 13 4- H, H Me Me Et₂O  198-200 90 14 4- H, HMe Et Et₂O 183-5 92 15 6- H, H Me n- dioxane  111-12 78 hexyl 16* 6- H,H Me Et Et₂O 197-8 89 17 6- H, H Me cyclo Et₂O 207-8 86 hexyl 18** 6- H,H Me Et Et₂O 202-4 84 48 6- H, H H Et MeOH/ 191-2 74 EtOAc 49 6- H, H HPr MeOH/ 171-3 67 EtOAc 50 6- H, H Me p-OMe- iPrOH 225-7 92 Phenyl 51 6-H, H Me CH₂- Et₂O 78 Ph 52* 6- H, H Me Me Et₂O 83 53** 6- H, H Me MeEt₂O 81 88 6- H, H Me Ph Et₂O 96 66*** 6- H, H Me Et Et₂O 116-9 92 67***6- H, H Me Pr Et₂O 181-3 86 80 6- H, H Me Bu Et₂O 54 84 6- H, H Etcyclo- Et₂O 196-8 89 hexyl * R-enantiomer ** S-enantiomer *** 5-chloro

TABLE 3a Thiocarbamyloxy aminoindan HCl salts

cryst/slurry yield # position R1,R2 R3 R4 solvent mp(° C.) (%) 44 6- H,H Me Me MeOH/EtO 244-5 55 45 6- H, H Me Et MeOH/EtOAc 236-8 58

TABLE 4 Carbamyloxy aminotetralin HCl salts

position of cryst/slurry yield # amine R1 R3 R4 solvent mp(° C.) (%) 192- H Me Me ether a) 96 20 2- H Me Et ether a) 98 21 1- H Me Me ether196-8 99 22 1- H Me Et ether 166-8 85 a): wide melting range; compoundis a hemi-hydrate

C: Propargylation and salt formation

The compounds prepared in Step B may be optionally propargylated toprovide further compounds of general formula I.

6-(N-Me, N-Et carbamyloxy) N-propargyl aminoindan, HCl (Compound 25)

To a stirred mixture of 6-(N-Me, N-Et carbamyloxy) aminoindan. HCl (5.2g, 19.2 mmol), potassium carbonate (5.31 g, 38.4 mmol) in acetonitrile(250 ml), was added a solution of propargyl bromide (2.06 g, 17.28 mmol)in acetonitrile (10 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at RT undernitrogen for 25 hrs, and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated todryness in-vacuo and the residue was purified by column chromatography(EtOAc) to give 3.6 g (13.2 mmol, 69%) of the free base as a yellow oil.

The free base was dissolved in dry ether (150 ml) and HCl/ether (15 ml)was added. The mixture was stirred at RT for 1 hr, filtered and thesolid was recrystallized from iPrOH/ether to give 3.5 g (11.3 mmol, 59%)of the title compound as a white solid.

6-(N,N-Dimethylcarbamyloxy)-N-propargyl aminoindan mesylate (Compound24)

To a stirred mixture of 6-(N,N-dimethylcarbamyloxy) aminoindan HCl (1.88g, 7.33 mmol), K₂CO₃ (2.03 g, 14.66 mmol) and acetonitrile (70 ml) wasadded a solution of propargyl bromide (0.79 g, 6.6 mmol) in CH₃CN (5 ml)dropwise over 5 min, under nitrogen. The mixture was stirred under N₂for 24 hrs, filtered and the solvent was removed at reduced pressure.The residue was taken up into water (150 ml) and toluene (150 ml). Thismixture was stirred while adjusting the pH of the aqueous layer to 3.75by the addition of 20% aq. HCl. The aqueous layer was separated andextracted with toluene (2×100 ml) and brought carefully to pH 7.5 by theaddition of 10% aq. NaOH solution. It was then extracted with toluene(100 ml+4×70 ml). The combined toluene layers were dried (Na₂SO₄),filtered and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure to give 1.06g (62%) of a yellow oil.

To a stirred solution of the free base (1.65 g, 6.4 mmol) in anh. ether(60 ml) was added dropwise a solution of methanesulfonic acid (0.7 g,7.29 mmol) in ether (10 ml). The resulting suspension was stirred at 25°C. for 30 man and then allowed to settle for an additional 30 min. Theether was then decanted off, and the residue was dried under vacuum. Itwas then recrystallized from iPrOH/ether to give 2.05 g of a white solid(90.3%).

In this manner the following compounds of general formula I as shown inTables 5, 5a and 6 were prepared. Analytical data relating to thesecompounds is given in Tables 9, 9a and 10.

TABLE 5 Carbamyloxy-N-propargyl aminoindans

cryst/slurry mp yield # X position R1 R3 R4 solvent (° C.) (%) 23 Cl 6-H Me Me iPrOH/Et₂O 180-2 52 24 mesylate 6- H Me Me iPrOH/Et₂O 147-9 6025 Cl 6- H Me Et iPrOH/Et₂O 194-6 59 26 Cl 6- H Me Pr iPrOH/Et₂O 183-546 27 Cl 7- H Me Me iPrOH/Et₂O  219-20 65 28 Cl 7- H Me Pr iPrOH/Et₂O185-6 53 29 Cl 6- Me Me Me iPrOH/Et₂O  199-201 55 30 Cl 6- Me Me Et Et₂O196-8 47 31 Cl 6- Et Me Me iPrOH/Et₂O 212-3 71 32 Cl 7- Me Me MeiPrOH/Et₂O  169-71 63 33 Cl 7- H Me Et iPrOH/Et₂O 208-9 64 34 Cl 4- H MeMe Et₂O 196-8 85 35 Cl 4- H Me Et Et₂O 183-5 85 36 Cl 6- H Me n-hexyliPrOH/Et₂O 106-8 53 37* Cl 6- H Me Et Et₂O  159-6 88 38 Cl 6- H Mecyclohexyl Et₂O 174-5 55 39** Cl 6- H Me Et Et₂O 160-2 61 54* mesylate6- H Me Me Et₂O  139-41 54 55** mesylate 6- H Me Me Et₂O  138-40 52 56Cl 6- H H Et iPrOH/Et₂O 175-7 38 57 Cl 6- H H Pr iPrOH/Et₂O 165-7 48 58mesylate 6- H Me Et Et₂O  92-4 64 59** mesylate 6- H Me Et iPrOH/Et₂O 7260 mesylate 6- H Me Et Et₂O 121-3 87 61 Cl 6- H Me p-OMe-Ph Et₂O 172-484 62 Cl 6- H Me Ph Et₂O 182-4 61 63 Cl 6- H Me CH₂Ph Et₂O  188-90 5864*** Cl 6- H Me Me iPrOH/Et₂O 195-7 55 65*** Cl 6- H Me Et iPrOH/Et₂O 188-90 51 68**** fumarate 6- H Me Et iPrOH 146-8 48 69* fumarate 6- HMe Et iPrOH 115-7 35 70 esylate 6- H Me Et EtOAc  109-11 60 71**** Cl 6-H Me Et Et₂O 161-3 55 72**** Cl 6- H Me Pr Et₂O 164-6 58 73** fumarate6- H Me Et iPrOH 114-6 81 74** esylate 6- H Me Et EtOAc  95-7 82 75** ½D-tartrale 6- H Me Et iPrOH 143-5 44 76* ½ L-tarate 6- H Me Et iPrOH143-5 41 77* esylate 6- H Me Et EtOAc 106-8 93 78* Cl 6- H Me Pr Et₂O126-8 89 79* Cl 6- H Me Pr Et₂O 135-7 33 81 Cl 6- H Me Bu Et₂O  168-7063 83 Cl 6- H Et Bu Et₂O  148-50 42 85 Cl 6- H Et cyclohexyl Et₂O 178-80 56 86* Cl 6- H Me Bu Et₂O  86-8 51 87** Cl 6- H Me Bu Et₂O  88-952 *R-enantiomer **S-enantiomer ***substituted propargyl derivatives, R₆in Scheme I is methyl ****Y: 5-Cl

TABLE 5a Thiocarbamyloxy-N-propargyl aminoindans

cryst/slurry mp yield # X position R1 R3 R4 solvent (° C.) (%) 46 Cl 6-H Me Me Et₂O 152-4 53 47 Cl 6- H Me Et Et₂O 193-5 54

TABLE 6 N-Propargyl aminotetralins

position of cryst/slurry mp yield # amine R1 R3 R4 solvent (° C.) (%) 402- H Me Me MeOH/Et₂O 206-8 66 41 2- H Me Et iPrOH/Et₂O 208-9 65 42 1- HMe Me ether 207-9 57 43 1- H Me Et ether 201-3 42

TABLE 7 Analytical Data of Compounds of the Invention shown in Table 3

NMR_(I) MS elem. anal. # aryl indan R1, R2 R3, R4 IR (MH⁺) (C, H, N)  17.38, 7.20 4.85, 3.10 3.10, 2.96 3446, 2943 221 calc.: 56.14, 6.62,10.90 7.10 2.96, 2.63 1711, 1487 found: 55.90, 6.67, 10.89 2.14 1393,1240  2 7.40, 7.21 4.80, 3.10 3.43, 3.27 2970, 2863 249 calc.: 59.05,7.38, 9.84 7.10 2.95, 2.65 3.10, 2.95 1735, 1608 found: 58.75, 7.33,9.86 2.15 1.70, 1.63 1396, 1241 0.94, 0.90  2a 7.40, 7.21 4.80, 3.103.43, 3.27 2970, 2863 249 calc.: 57.23, 7.55, 9.54 (½ 7.10 2.95, 2.653.10, 2.95 1735, 1608 found: 57.54, 7.29, 9.45 H₂O 2.15 1.70, 1.63 1396,1241 0.94, 0.90  4 7.47, 7.36 4.91, 3.25 3.18, 3.03 2950, 1701 7.093.07, 2.60 1504, 1396 2.25 1234, 1177  5 7.44, 7.29 4.88, 3.20 3.55,3.39 3446, 2920 235 calc.: 57.70, 7.25, 10.35 7.02 3.14, 2.55 3.14, 2.991710, 1472 found: 57.38, 6.97, 10.32 2.23 1.26, 1.18 1403, 1235  6 7.45,7.30 4.86, 3.20 3.50, 3.32 3448, 2923 249 calc.: 59.05, 7.43, 9.84 7.023.04, 2.55 3.13, 2.98 1710, 1485 found: 58.78, 7.47, 9.91 2.23 1.70,1.63 1226, 1154 0.94, 0.90  7 7.45, 7.29 4.83, 3.17 3.20, 1.33 3.15, 3.02948, 2766 249 calc.: 59.05, 7.38, 9.84 7.17 3.02, 2.65 2680, 1725found: 57.75, 7.40, 9.65 1485, 1386  8 7.43, 7.27 4.75, 3.14 2.73 3.13,2.97 2950, 2722 235 calc.: 57.70, 7.02, 10.35 7.17 3.03, 2.60 1720, 1390found: 56.83, 7.09, 10.27 2.30 1160  9 7.52, 7.37 4.83, 3.27 2.74 3.19,3.04 2963, 2710 235 calc.: 57.70, 7.02, 10.35 7.10 3.10, 2.55 1715, 1579found: 57.46, 6.73, 10.36 2.38 1472, 1389 10 7.44, 7.25 4.80, 3.15 2.743.55, 3.35 2950, 2705 calc.: 59.08, 7.38, 9.84 7.15 3.03, 2.62 3.12,2.98 1720, 1450 found: 58.74, 7.51, 9.72 2.30 1.25, 1.18 1402 11 7.42,7.25 4.75, 3.15 2.72 3.45, 3.30 2963, 2723 calc.: 60.33, 7.70, 9.38 7.143.10, 2.60 3.10, 2.95 1715, 1465 found: 60.32, 7.75, 9.42 2.28 1.65,0.94 1404, 1234 0.88 12 7.43, 7.27 4.96, 3.12 2.75 3.10, 2.96 3480, 1718249 calc.: 59.05, 7.38, 9.84 7.17 3.05, 2.55 1475, 1390 found: 58.75,7.41, 9.84 2.42 1237, 1174 13^(II) 7.53, 7.29 4.71, 2.95, 8.75 3.04, 2.9221 7.08 2.74, 2.45, 2.0 14^(II) 7.53, 7.3, 4.71, 2.95, 8.7 3.41, 3.3,235 7.08 2.73, 2.48, 3/01, 2.89, 2.0 1.18, 1.07 15 7.35, 7.23 4,83, 3.33.1, 3.06 2930, 1720 291 calc.: 62.47, 8.33, 8.57 7.01 2.6, 2.16 2.95,2.91 1471, 1405 found: 62.54, 8.30, 8.61 1.6, 1.29 1248 0.85 16 7.42,7.22 4.87, 3.16 3.53, 3.39 235 7.12 3.01, 2.65 3.92, 2.99 2.17 1.26,1.17 17 7.42, 7.22 4.87, 3.15 4.10, 3.85 289 calc.: 62.85, 7.76, 8.637.11 2.95, 2.65 3.00, 2.85 found: 62.55, 7.81, 8.33 2.19 1.90-1.40 1.34,1.13  3 7.43, 7.20 4.86, 3.15 3.51, 3.38 235 calc.: 55.70, 7.25, 10.357.12 3.02, 2.64 3.10, 2.95 found: 57.44, 7.06, 10.38 2.18 1.25, 1.15 187.43, 7.20 4.86, 3.15 3.51, 3.38 235 calc.: 55.70, 7.25, 10.35 7.123.02, 2.64 3.10, 2.95 found: 57.44, 7.06, 10.38 2.18 1.25, 1.35 48 7.41,7.24 4.87, 3.13 3.23, 1.17 221 calc.: 56.13, 6.68, 10.91 7.13 3 0, 2.65found: 56.00, 6.66, 10.81 2.17 49 7.41, 7.24 4.87, 3.12 3.17, 1.56 235calc.: 57.67, 7.07, 10.35 7.13 2.98, 2.65 0.94 found: 57.32, 7.13, 10.312.17 50 7.37, 7.16 4.80, 3.10 7.40-7.0 calc.: 61.98, 6.02, 8.03 7.032.96, 2.61 3.82, 3.43 found: 61.16, 6.07, 7.77 2 15 3.29 66 7.57, 7.394.91, 3.18 3.61, 3.43 269 calc.: 50.41, 6.02, 9.05 3.05, 2.71, 3.20,3.03 271 found: 50.46, 6.11, 8.77 2.25 1.33, 1.23 67 7.55, 7.36 4.89,3.14 3.52, 3.36 283 calc.: 52.67, 6.32, 8.78 3.02, 2.68 3.18, 3.02 285found: 52.67, 6.28, 8.48 2.20 1.77, 1.67 0.99, 0.93 ^(I)D₂O, unlessotherwise specified ^(II)DMSO-d₆

TABLE 7a Analytical Data of Compounds of the Invention shown in Table 3a

NMR(D₂O) MS elem. anal. # aryl indan R1, R2 R3, R4 IR (MH⁺) (C, H, N, S)44 7.45, 7.20, 4.87, 3.15, 3.44, 3.36 2933, 1714, calc.: 52.83, 628,10.27, 11.75 7.11 3.05, 2.65, 1599, 1536, found: 51.11, 6.48, 10.23,12.16 2.20 1488, 1392 45 7.45, 7.20, 4.75, 3.10, 3.88, 3.79, 2934, 1719,calc.: 51.22, 6.94, 9.19, 10.52 7.11 2.97, 2.65, 3.39, 3.32, 1594, 1522,found: 51.04, 7.30, 9.31, 11.24 2.20 1.28, 1.25 1497, 1402

TABLE 8 Analytical Data of Compounds of the Invention shown in Table 4

NMR² MS elem. anal. # aryl cyclohex. R1, R2 R3, R4 IR (MH⁺ (C, H, N) 197.22, 6.95 3.69, 3.22 3.12, 2.97 3484, 2930 235 calc: 55.81, 7.20, 10.02(1/2H₂O) 2.93, 2.87 2362, 1699 found: 55.29, 6.93, 9.71 2.22, 1.92 1612,1500 1391 20 7.20, 6.94 3.70, 3.19 3.48, 3.35 249 calc: 57.23, 7.55,9.54 (1/2H₂O) 2.90, 2.23 3.08, 2.94 found: 57.50, 7.53, 9.54 1.90 1.20,1.12 21 7.28, 7.11, 4.56, 2.87 3.10, 2.96 235 calc: 57.70, 7.02, 10.357.06 2.77, 2.16 found: 56.97, 6.93, 10.06 2.05, 1.88 22 7.29, 7.13 4.57,2.88 3.52, 3.37 249 calc: 59.05, 7.38, 9.84 7.07 2.79, 2.15 3.10, 2.97found: 58.91, 7.18, 9.99 2.05, 1.90 1.25, 1.17 ²D₂O, unless otherwisespecified

TABLE 9 Analytical Data of Compounds of the Invention shown in Table 5

NMR³ MS elem. anal. # aryl indan R1 proparg R3, R4 IR (MH⁺) (C, H, N) 237.46, 7.30 5.01, 3.20 4.0, 3:16 3.15, 3.0 259 calc.: 61.12, 6.50, 9.517.18 3.15, 2.65 found: 60.93, 6.38, 9.47 2.36 24 7.46, 7.30 5.01, 3.204.0, 3.16 3.15, 3.0 1711, 1482, 259 calc.: 54.22, 6.26, 7.91 7.18 3.15,2.65 1439, 1394, found: 53.92, 6.28, 7.84 2.36 1192, 1170 25 7.42, 7.274.97, 3.16, 3.97, 3.02 3.52, 3.36 1728, 1435, 273 calc.: 62.23, 6.86,9.57 7.15 3.0, 2.62, 3.10, 2.97, 1403, 1242, found: 62.42, 6.84, 8.942.32 1.24, 1.15 1166  25^(ii) 7.50, 7.32 4.78, 3.10 3.91, 3.74 3.43,3.32 1728, 1435, 273 calc.: 62.23, 6.86, 9.57 7.10 2.85, 2.45 3.03, 2.901403, 1242, found: 62.42, 6.84, 8.94 2.28 1.20, 1.10 1166 26 7.45, 7.305.0, 3.16 4.0, 3.03 3.48, 3.32 1725, 1465, 287 calc.: 63.25, 7.18, 8.687.17 3.04, 2.65 3.12, 2.98 1429, 1403, found: 63.13, 7.28, 8.93 2.331.72, 1.63 1232, 1165 0.96, 0.92 27 7.52, 7.38 5.05, 3.26 3.99, 3.213.12, 3.03 3200, 1722, 259 calc.: 61.12, 6.50, 9.51 7.10 3.07, 2.561567, 1434, found: 61.01, 6.46, 9.64 2.40 1408, 1238 28 7.52, 7.37 5.02,3.27 3.98, 3.10 3.65, 3.42 3200, 1727, 287 calc.: 63.25, 7.18, 8.68 7.073.09, 2.55 3.18, 3.02 1566, 1468, found: 63.06, 7.30, 8.37 2.38 1.75,0.98 1438, 1406, 0.93 1222 29 7.44, 7.30 5.20, 3.15 2.80 4.01, 3.133.12, 2.97 1729, 1388, 273 calc.: 62.33, 6.80, 9.07 7.19 3.03, 2.57,1234, 1165 found: 61.97, 6.80, 8.78 2.44 31 7.48, 7.30 5.34, 3.20 3.36,4.05, 3.12 3.16, 3.01 3180, 1723, 287 calc.: 63.25, 7.18, 8.68 7.233.08, 2.65 1.37 1490, 1440, found: 63.42, 7.09, 8.71 2.50 1389, 1230,1160 32 7.56, 7.39 5.30, 3.28 2.78 4.12, 3.23 3.20, 3.02 1712, 1472, 273calc.: 62.23, 6.86, 9.07 7.15 3.09, 2.55 1392, 1238, found: 62.05, 6.81,8.87 1171 33 7.46, 7.32, 4.96, 2.50 3.92, 3.04 3.13, 2.96 1719, 1426,273 calc.: 62.23, 6.86, 9.07 7.03 2.33 1.24, 1.15 1404, 1233, found:62.19, 6.77, 9.08 1154 34 7.48, 7.23 5.07, 3.08 4.05, 3.07 3.29, 3.033238, 2907 259 calc.: 2.95, 2.65 2769, 2635 found: 2.35 1714, 1470 1392,1240 35 7.48, 7.23 5.07, 3.08 4.05, 3.07 3.56, 3.41 3197, 2934 273calc.: 2.95, 2.65 3.15, 3.01 2565, 2431 found: 2.35 1.29, 1.21 1707,1445 1403, 1236 36 7.45, 7.28 4.98, 3.16 3.98, 3.04 3.49, 3.35 calc.:65.83, 8.01, 7.68 7.15 3.03, 2.63 3.11, 2.97 found: 65.65, 8.11, 7.822.33 1.66, 1.33 0.88 37 7.44, 7.29 4.98, 3.15 3.98, 3.03 3.53, 3.383275, 2754 273 calc.: 62.23, 6.86, 9.07 7.18 3.01, 2.63 3.12, 2.98 1719,1445 found: 62.30, 6.94, 9.09 2.31 1.25, 1.16 1395, 1303 38 7.44, 7.274.98, 3.14 3.98, 3.04 4.09, 3.85 3227, 2936 327 calc.: 66.19, 7.50, 7.727.16 3.00, 2.64 3.01, 2.88 2612, 2128 found: 65.90, 7.63, 7.55 2.331.90-1.45 1711, 1584 1.35, 1.14 1440, 1401 39 7.46, 7.30 4.97, 3.173.97, 3.03 3.54, 3.39 3275, 2933 273 calc. 62.23, 6.86, 9.07 7.19 3.04,2.64 3.13, 3.0 2758, 1720 found: 62.27, 6.95, 9.03 2.32 1.27, 1.19 1445,1396 1303 54 7.46, 7.30 5.00, 3.17 3.99, 3.05 3.15, 3.0 1711, 1482 259calc.: 54.17, 6.20, 7.90 7.19 3.05, 2.64 1438, 1395 found: 54.18, 6.27,7.78 2.33 1192, 1169 55 7.46, 7.30 5.00, 3.17 3.99, 3.05 3.15, 3.0 1711,1482 259 calc.: 54.17, 6.20, 7.90 7.19 3.05, 2.64 1438, 1395 found:54.07, 6.25, 7.88 2.33 1192, 1169 56 7.46, 7.32 4.99, 3.17 3.99, 3.053.27, 1.20 259 calc.: 61.12, 6.50, 9.51 7.20 3.04, 2.65 found: 60.87,6.47, 9.34 2.33 57 7.47, 7.32 4.99, 3.18 3.99, 3.06 3.20, 1.61 273calc.: 62.23, 6.86, 9.07 7.20 3.05, 2.65 0.98 found: 61.60, 6.93, 9.042.34 58 7.47, 7.32 5.01, 3.20 4.01, 3.07 3.56, 3.41 273 calc.: 55.43,6.52, 7.60 7.22 3.08, 2.67 3.14, 3.01 found: 55.08, 6.52, 7.31 2.361.29, 1.21 59 7.47, 7.32 5.01, 3.20 4.01, 3.07 3.56, 3.41 273 calc.:7.22 3.08, 2.67 3.14, 3.01 found: 2.36 1.29, 1.21 60 7.47, 7.32 5.01,3.20 4.01, 3.07 3.56, 3.41 273 calc.: 55.43, 6.52, 7.60 7.22 3.08, 2.673.14, 3.01 found: 55.21, 6.64, 7.40 2.36 1.29, 1.21 61 7.40-7.0 4.96,3.10 3.96, 3.90 7.40-7.0 351 calc.: 65.20, 5.95, 7.24 2.97, 2.57 3.033.81 found: 64.72, 6.04, 6.81 2.30 62 7.60-7.10 4.96, 3.15 3.98, 3.077.60-7.10 321 calc.: 67.32, 5.89, 7.85 3.00, 2.61 3.42 found: 67.22,6.00, 7.54 2.34 63 7.55-7.10 4.97, 3.17, 3.99, 3.07 7.55-7.10 335 calc.:67.47, 6.20, 7.55 3.00, 2.64, 4.73, 4.59 found: 67.75, 6.32, 7.47 2.36,2.36 3.14, 3.05 64 7.48, 7.35 5.16, 5.12 4.44, 4.27 3.17, 3.03 273 calc.62.23, 6.86, 9.07 7.21 3.20, 3.05 3.17, 1.68 found: 62.22, 6.86, 8.962.70, 2.35 1.63 65 7.44, 7.36, 5.15, 5.09 4.43, 4.25 3.55, 3.39 calc.:63.25, 7.18, 8.68 7.27, 7.19 3.20, 3.02 3.25, 3.17 3.13, 3.00 found:63.15, 7.15, 8.31 2.65, 2.32 1.67, 1.61 1.27, 1.19 71 7.60, 7.44 5.02,3.20, 4.02, 3.07 3.60, 3.43, 307 calc.: 55.98, 5.87, 8.16 3.06, 2.68,3.20, 3.02, 309 found:: 55.72, 5.88, 8.11 2.36 1.33, 1.23 72 7.59, 7.445.01, 3.20, 4.03, 3.07 3.53, 3.36, 321 calc.: 57.15, 6.21, 7.84 3.06,2.68, 3.20, 3.02, 323 found: 57.05, 6.21, 7.81 2.38 1.79, 1.68, 1.01,0.95 76 7.47, 7.31, 5.00, 3.20, 4.00, 3.07 3.56, 3.40, 3286, 2972, 273calc.: 62.17, 6.62, 8.05 7.20 3.06, 2.66, 3.16, 3.00, 1724, 1637, found:62.31, 6.66, 7.94 2.35 1.28, 1.20 1400, 1308, 1233 81 7.48, 7.31, 5.00,3.20, 4.01, 3.07 3.53, 3.38, calc.: 64.19, 7.42, 8.32 7.20 3.07, 2.66,3.14, 3.01, found: 63.99, 7.42, 8.04 2.35 1.65, 1.39, 0.97 83 7.47,7.31, 5.00, 3.19, 4.01, 3.07 3.52, 3.38, 315 calc.: 65.04, 7.70, 7.987.19 3.04, 2.66, 1.68, 1.40, found: 64.75, 7.72, 7.94 2.34 1.29, 1.22,0.98 85 7.47, 7.31, 5.00, 3.19, 4.01, 3.07, 3.84, 3.42 341 calc.: 66.33,7.70, 7.43 7.19 3.02, 2.63, 1.85, 1.66, found: 66.75, 7.69, 7.36 2.341.23 ³D₂O, unless specified otherwise ^(ii)DMSO-d₆

TABLE 9a Analytical Data of Compounds of the Invention shown in Table 5a

NMR (D₂O) MS elem. anal. # aryl indan propargyl R3, R4 IR (MH⁺) (C, H,N, S) 46 7.48, 7.29, 5.02, 3.19, 4.0, 3.07 3.46, 3.41 calc.: 57.97,6.11, 9.01, 10.30 7.16 3.05, 2.67, found: 58.07, 6.06, 8.85, 10.23 2.3747 7.50, 7.31 5.04, 3.21, 4.20, 3.09 3.95, 3.87 calc.: 59.16, 6.47,8.62, 9.86 7.19 3.07, 2.70, 3.45, 3.38 found: 59.23, 6.39, 8.52, 9.762.38 1.35, 1.32

TABLE 10 Analytical Data of Compounds of the Invention shown in Table 6

NMR⁴ MS elem. anal. # aryl cyclohex. R1 proparg R3, R4 IR (MH⁺) (C, H,N) 40 calc: found: 41 7.22, 6.95 3.79, 3.26 4.06, 3.01 3.50, 3.36 3227,2938 287 calc: 63.25, 7.18, 8.68 2.95, 2.32 3.09, 2.96 2768, 1713 found:63.16, 6.93, 8.69 1.91 1.24, 1.16 1587, 1474 1394, 1301 42 7.21, 7.034.60, 2.81 3.88, 2.95 3.01, 2.87 3234, 2936 273 calc: 62.23, 6.80, 9.072.72, 2.15 2774, 2130 found: 62.20, 7.01, 9.3 2.02, 1.84 1732, 1497 1.801390 43 7.32, 7.12 4.65, 2.88 3.99, 3.04 3.51, 3.37 3216, 2933 287 calc:63.06, 7.41, 8.65 2.80, 2.20 3.10, 2.96 2768, 2663 found: 63.2, 7.14,8.81 2.12, 1.94 1.23, 1.16 2129, 1723 1.85 1425, 1399 ⁴D₂O, unlessspecified otherwise

BIOLOGICAL EXAMPLES Example 1

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition in Mice

1.1 In vitro measurement of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Inhibition

Human erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (type XIII, Sigma Israel), wasprepared in a stock solution of 1 U/ml, containing Triton (1%) andbovine serum albumin (0.05%) in phosphate buffer (pH 8). The enzyme(0.05U) was incubated with 3-5 different concentrations of test compound(in triplicate) for periods of from 15 to 60 minutes at 37° C. Thesubstrate acetylthiocholine (0.075M) and 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoicacid) (DTNB, 0.01M) were then added and the rate of hydrolysis of thesubstrate which yields a yellow product monitored spectrophotomericallyat 412 nM (Ellman et al., Biochem Pharmacol. (1961) 7: 88-95). Thepercentage inhibition of AChE by each concentration of drug iscalculated by comparison with that of enzyme in the absence of drug. Theconcentration of each drug that inhibits AChE by 50% (IC₅₀) at the timeof peak activity was calculated and is given in Table 11 below.

1.2 Ex vivo measurement of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Inhibition

Test drugs or saline were administered sub-cutaneously to male mice(Sabra strain, 28-35 g). At least 4-5 mice were used per dose and aminimum of 3 doses per drug were tested. The mice were sacrificed 15,30, 50, 70, 90, 120 or 180 minutes after drug administration, the brainsrapidly removed (minus cerebellum), weighed and homogenized in 0.1 Mphosphate buffer, pH 8.0, containing Triton (1 mg/100 g tissue) andcentrifuged to remove cell debris. Aliquots (25 μl) of the supernatantwere then incubated with acetylthiocholine and DTNB. AChE activity wasmeasured as described above. The % inhibition of whole brain AChE byeach dose of drug was calculated by comparison with enzyme activity from3 saline treated control mice run at the same time. The dose of eachdrug that inhibits AChE by 50% at the peak of activity (ED₅₀) wascalculated and is given in Table 11.

1.3 Acute Toxicity in Mice

Drugs were administered sub-cutaneously in at least 3 doses, to aminimum of 10 mice per dose. The dose that was lethal to 50% of the mice(LD₅₀) within 6 hours after administration was calculated for each drugand is given in Table 11. Therapeutic Ratio was calculated as LD₅₀divided by ED₅₀ of ex vivo acetylcholine esterase inhibition.

Example 2

2.1 Inhibition of MAC activity in vitro

The MAO enzyme source was a homogenate of rat brain in 0.3M sucrose,which was centrifuged at 600 g for 15 minutes. The supernatant wasdiluted appropriately in 0.05M phosphate buffer, and pre-incubated withserial dilutions of test compounds for 20 minutes at 37° C. ¹⁴C-Labeledsubstrates (2-phenylethylamine, hereinafter PEA; 5-hydroxytryptamine,hereinafter 5-HT) were then added, and the incubation continued for afurther 20 minutes (PEA), or 30-45 minutes (5-HT). Substrateconcentrations used were 50 μM (PEA) and 1 mM (5-HT). In the case ofPEA, enzyme concentration was chosen so that not more than 10% of thesubstrate was metabolized during the course of the reaction. Deaminatedproducts were extracted into toluene-ethyl acetate (1:1 v/v) containing0.6% (w/v) 2,5-diphenyloxazole (ppo) prior to determination by liquidscintillation counting. Radioactivity n the eluate indicates theproduction of neutral and acidic metabolites formed as a result of MAOactivity. Activity of MAO in the sample was expressed as a percentage ofcontrol activity in the absence of inhibitors after subtraction ofappropriate blank values. The activity determined using PEA as substrateis referred to as MAO-B, and that determined using 5-HT as MAO-A.

Concentrations of inhibitor producing 50% inhibition of substratemetabolism (IC₅₀) were calculated from the inhibition curves, and areshown in Table 11.

2.2 Inhibition of MAO activity ex vivo

Male Sabra mice, weighing 45-50 g were injected with test compoundsolutions (prepared in 0.9% saline). Each dose was administered to twoor three mice. The mice were sacrificed two hours after drugadministration or at a time corresponding to the peak AChE inhibitiontime (see Table 11). The brain and liver were rapidly dissected andstored in appropriate vials on ice. The tissues were weighed, diluted to{fraction (1/20)} in sucrose 0.3M and stored at −20° C. beforeperformance of the MAO assay described above. The results given in Table11 relate to measurements made on brain tissue only.

2.3 Inhibition of MAO activity following sub-acute administration torats

Experiments were done in Sprague Dawley male rats. Procedures wererepeated as described in Examples 2.1 and 2.2, but drug administrationwas continued daily for 14 days. At the end of this period animals weresacrificed and MAO levels determined in the brain, liver and intestines.Compounds 24, 25, 37 and 39 were administered sub-cutaneously and/or peros at a dose of 6 mg/kg(sc) and 10 mg/kg(po) (compound 24), 25 and 50mg/kg (compound 25), 45 mg/kg (compound 37) and 40 mg/kg (compound 39).The results are shown in Table 11a from which it can be seen that thesecompounds displayed selectivity in inhibiting MAO enzyme sub-types inthe brain in preference to the periphery.

TABLE 11 AChE Inhibition Time Ex vivo to return to MAO-B InhibitionMAO-A Inhibition Acute Toxicity ED50 to peak 50% of Ex vivo Ex vivo LD50Therapeutic In vitro μmoles/kg activity peak In vitro ED50 In vitro ED50μmoles/kg Ratio # IC50 μm (AC) t (min) t (min) IC50 μm μmoles/kg IC50 μmμmoles/kg (LD) LD/AC  1 0.6 5.0 30 >120 >1000 >>80 75 >>80 83.8 16.8 233.5 22.4 15 70 600 100 800 >120 255 11.4  2 7.3 NT >1000 32  3 20.0 46.360-90 >180 >1000 12.6 950 20.6 25 53.0 140.0 60 >180 >1000 200 270 >>3501400 10.8 26 17.0 120 30-60 264 333 114 >>440 1200 9 27 5.72 3015 >60 >1000 >>160 >1000 >>160 300 10 28 100.0 NT  5 11.5 85.060 >120 >>277 >>277 840 9.9  7 32.0 NT >1000 600  8 1.0 10.015-30 >60 >1000 >>50 50 >>50 87 8.7  9 0.18 19 15 93 4.9 29 8.5 53.715 >60 40 30 40 50 500 9.3 10 38.0 34.7 60-90 >180 >1000 >175 22 >175740 21.3 30 1300.0 NT 31 10.0 110 >1000 >100 >1000 >100 32 3.7 7.8 15500 >>20 190 >>20 68 9.0 12 2.0 8.0 15 >1000 130 <20 <2.5 33 540.0NT >1000 1000 >1000 >>1200 34 0.046 0.65 30 100 0.5 3.7 5.7 35 2.2 10 60100 <1 33 3.3 37 51 125 500 200 750 >200 1700 13.6 39 36 80 30-60 >1801000 >>200 550 >>200 1150 14.4 24 3 16.6 15 750 100 850 >120 179 10.8 6042 58 51 >1000 300 54 1.8 >100 >100 55 2 >100 >100 56 11.5 180 57 2.4 7025 69 48 10 49 2 17 4 16 9 50 0.26 61 0.75 47 500 >100 700 >100 64 1.913.2 >1000 >120 1000 >120 150 11.4 38 33 >1000 10 >400 170 >400 3615 >400 >1000 >100 >1000 >100 >1000 62 0.57 290 60 100 >>200 80 >>200 632.5 140 60-90 120 >300 40 >300 1300 9.3 71 29 >100 130 >100 7238 >200 >100 >100 78 10 101 60-90 >120 450 >>450 1300 12.9 79 9.4 9490 >180 >>450 >>450 1000 10.6 81 11.5 40 90 >120 >>100 >>100 920 23 8380 86 10.5 87 9.1 85 17 >100

TABLE 11a Effect of Compounds 24, 25, 37 and 39 on MAQ activity afterchronic sub - acutetreatment to rats % MAO-A inhibition 24 % MAO-Binhibition Compound 6 (sc) 25 37 39 24 25 37 39 Dose (mg/kg) 10 (po) 2550 45 40 25 25 50 45 40 Brain sc 30 53 75 78 17 50 61 85 87 27 po  0 7067 20 80 82 Intestine sc  0  0 30  0  0  0 29 45 26 40 po 30 25  0 20 3021 Liver sc  0  0 10  0  0  0 14 40 29  0 po 10 25 28  0 35 28

Example 3

Effect of Drug Treatment Following Closed Head Injury (CHI) in Mice

The procedure for closed head injury followed was as described for ratsin Shohami, et al. (J Neurotrauma (1993) 10 (2): 109-119) with changesas described.

Animals: Male Sabra mice (Hebrew University strain) weighing 34-40 gwere used. They were housed in groups of 10 per cage, in a 12 hr:12 hrlight:dark cycle. Food and water were provided ad libitium.

Trauma was induced under ether anesthesia. A longitudinal incision wasperformed in the skin covering the skull and the skin retracted toexpose the skull. The head was fixed manually at the lower plane of theimpact apparatus. A weight of 333 g was delivered by an electric devicefrom a distance of 3 cm to the left hemisphere, 1-2 mm lateral to themidline in the midcoronal plane. Test compounds were injectedsub-cutaneously at a dosage corresponding to the ED₅₀acetylcholinesterase, once 15 min. after CHI.

3.1 Assessment of Motor Function

Motor function and reflexes were evaluated in the injured mice atdifferent times after closed head injury (CHI) using a neurologicalseverity score (NSS) as shown in Table 12 below, which is modified fromthat described for rats (Shohami, et al. supra.). One point was awardedfor the lack of a tested reflex or for the inability to perform thetasks outline in the Table. The maximal score that can be reached at 1hour post-CHI is 25 points and 21 at later times. The difference in NSSat 1 hr and at any other time reflects the recovery, and is referred toas ΔNSS. An NSS score of 15-19 at 1 hr denotes severe injury, 11-14moderate injury and less than 10 mild injury. The NSS recorded aftertreatment with test compound or control is shown in Table 13.

TABLE 12 Neurological Severity Score for mice after Closed Head Injury.Points at Points at any Parameter 1 hour other time Inability to exitfrom a circle (30 cm diameter) when left in its center for 30 min 1 for60 min 1 for >60 min 1 1 Loss of righting reflex for 10 second 1 for 20seconds 1 for >30 seconds 1 1 Hemiplegia - inability of mouse to 1 1resist forced changes in position Flexion of hind limb when 1 1 liftedby tail Inability to walk straight when 1 1 placed on the floor ReflexesPinna reflex 1 1 Corneal reflex 1 1 Startle reflex 1 1 Clinical gradeLoss of seeking behaviour 1 1 Prostration I I Loss of reflexes Leftforelimb 1 1 Right forelimb 1 Left hindlimb 1 1 Right hindlimb 1 1Functional test Failure in beam balancing task 1 1 (0.5 cm wide) for 20seconds 1 1 for 40 seconds 1 1 for >60 seconds Failure in round stickbalancing task (0.5 cm in diameter for 10 seconds 1 1 Failure in beamwalking task 3 cm wide 1 1 2 cm wide 1 1 1 cm wide 1 1 Maximum Points25  21 

TABLE 13 Change in Neurological Severity Score after Closed Head Injuryin Mice ΔNSS, 24 hr ΔNSS, 7 days ΔNSS, 14 days Drug/dose N post-CHIpost-CHI post-CHI Saline, 1 ml/kg 51 4.75 ± 0.17 5.83 ± 0.36  5.96 ±0.4  1 (1.3 mg/kg) 10  5.50 ± 0.34* 7.31 ± 0.42* 9.21 ± 0.47 24 (6.5mg/kg) 12  6.11 ± 0.23* 8.67 ± 0.41*  9.67 ± 0.66* 25 (46 mg/kg) 10 5.00± 0.42 7.42 ± 0.62*  9.01 ± 0.69* 25¹ (46 mg/kg) 10 4.90 ± 0.43 7.70 ±0.33*  8.80 ± 0.33* 10 (15 mg/kg) 11 5.36 ± 0.39 6.64 ± 0.41* 6.73 ±0.52 37 (30 mg/kg) 12 5.50 ± 0.26 6.92 ± 0.38  8.25 ± 0.62 39 (30 mg/kg)14 5.36 ± 0.25 6.71 ± 0.45  7.64 ± 0.48 ¹administered 60 min before CHI*significantly different from saline control (p < 0.05)

3.2 Assessment of Reference Memory

Morris Water Maze Test: the water maze consists of a circular aluminiumpool, im in diameter and 60 cm in depth, filled with water to a depth of17.5 cm. The hidden goal platform is a glass vessel (15 cm diameter×16.5cm height) placed upside down at a fixed location in the pool, 1 cmbelow the surface of the water. The water temperature is maintained at24° C. and the pool is always placed in the same position in the room toprovide the same extra-maze cues. Prior to CHI (as described in Example3 above), mice were given 3 trials per day for 5 consecutive days toestablish a baseline performance—measured as the latency to find theplatform from the same start location. Commencing 24 hr after CHI, micewere retested daily for 2 weeks in 3 trials per day.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the reduction in latency for mice treated withcompounds 24 (6.5 mg/kg), 25 (46 mg/kg), 1 (1.3 mg/kg), 10 (15 mg/kg),37 (30 mg/kg) or 39 (30 mg/kg) compared to saline treated controls afterCHI. It appears that immediately post-CHI mice forget the location ofthe goal. Memory is enhanced following treatment with test compounds, ascompared to saline treated mice. In the Figures the arrow shows the timeof CHI.

Example 4

Effect On Mice Having Experienced A Hypobaric Hypoxic Episode

The hypobaric hypoxic model is a well accepted model for assessing theactivity of compounds believed to possess neuroprotective activity. Themodel is based on that described in Nakanishi, M., et al. Life Sci.(1973) 13: 467, Oshiro, et al., J. Med. Chem. (1991) 34: 2004-2013 andU.S. Pat. No. 4,788,130.

A 12 liter desiccator (desiccator A) and a 2.5 liter desiccator(desiccator B) were separately connected to a vacuum pump. Desiccator Bwas disconnected and allowed to equilibrate with room air whilstdesiccator A was evacuated to a pressure of 100 mmHg. Four male ICRalbino mice (22-28 g) were placed in desiccator B. Desiccator B was thenclosed to room air and connected to desiccator A. The pressure insidedesiccator B was monitored using a mercury manometer and at the pointwere the pressure in desiccator B reached 200 mmpg (usually within 14seconds), the two desiccators were disconnected from the vacuum pump andthe pump switched off. The survival time from the moment of induction ofhypoxia to the time of cessation of respiration was recorded for eachmouse for a maximum of 15 minutes after which time room air wasreintroduced to desiccator B. Survivors were monitored for signs oflethargy or vitality.

Effect of drug treatment was assessed as the percent of the survivaltime of the drug treated group with respect to the saline injected orvehicle injected control group. Control groups were run twice, beforeand after each experimental group and consisted of 8 mice in groups of 4mice to ensure a constant residual volume of oxygen in all tests. Theeffect of each dose of test drug was determined in duplicate i.e. twogroups of 4 mice. The range of survival times of control mice was from108-180 seconds.

Positive reference drugs were sodium pentobarbital at a dose of 40mg/kg, and diazepam 10 mg/kg given 0.5 h prior to hypoxia, physostigmine0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg and neostigmine 0.2 mg/kg given sc 30 min beforehypoxia. Methyl atropine 1 mg/kg was given sc. 10 min. beforephysostigmine.

Test drugs were dissolved in 0.9% saline, and injected sc. in the nip ofthe neck at a dose in accordance with body weight, 60-90 min. beforehypoxia. The volume of injection was 0.2-0.3 mL per mouse (10 mL/kg).The initial dose was about one third of the reported LD₅₀ foracetylcholine esterase inhibition. If no protection could be obtained,the dose was further increased to the nearest non-toxic dose. In case ofprotection, the dose was further reduced in an attempt to locate the“protective” dose range.

Per cent survival times as compared to saline treated control is shownin Table 14.

TABLE 14 Survival Time of Mice Having Experienced a Hypobaric EpisodeTime of dose Dose (min before Protection Compound mg/kg hypoxia) (% ofcontrol) p Control 100 (saline) Nembutal 40 30 253 ± 200 <0.005 Diazepam10 30 316 ± 78  <0.003 Neostigmine 0.2 30 141 ± 32  <0.01  Physostigmine0.2 30 453 ± 222 <0.001 0.4 30 552 ± 210 <0.001 Physostigmine 0.4 30 296± 193 <0.05  and Atropine 1.0 40 methyl nitrate 1 8 60 637 ± 116   0.0074 60 470 ± 200   0.001 2 60 120 ± 51  NS 24 50 60 738 ± 00  <0.001 21 60269 ± 166 <0.02  25 100 60 761 ± 91    0.001 75 60 559 ± 225   0.001 5060 380 ± 231   0.01  25 60 84 ± 35 NS 27 50 60 455 ± 23  <0.001 3 60 287± 119 <0.001 15 60 143 ± 56  <0.05  8 60 119 ± 45  NS 29 77 60 508 ± 206<0.001 51 60 638 ± 10  <0.001 25 60 131 ± 56  NS 25 30 273 ± 183 <0.02 10 50 90 705 ± 101   0.001 25 90 700 ± 201   0.001 10 90 304 ± 129  0.001 12 20 60 725 ± 128 <0.001 15 60 649 ± 221 <0.001 10 60 386 ± 238<0.01  7 60 248 ± 97  <0.001

Example 5

Neurological Score and Brain Infarct Size in Male Wistar Rats AfterMiddle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCA-O)

A modification of the procedure described by Tamura, et al was used(Tamura A, Graham D1, McCulloch J, Teasdale G H (1981) J. Cereb. BloodFlow and Metab. 1: 53-60). Male Wistar rats (Olac England-Jerusalem)300-400 g each were anesthetized with a solution of Equitesineadministered i.p. at a dose of 3 ml/kg. Equitesine consists of 13.5 mlsodium pentothal solution (60 mg/ml), 3.5 g chloral hydrate, 1.75 gMgSO₄, 33 ml propylene glycol, 8.3 ml absolute alcohol, made up to 83 mlwith distilled water.

Surgery was performed with the use of a high magnification operatingmicroscope, model SMZ-2B, type 102 (Nikon, Japan) In order to expose theleft middle cerebral artery, a cut was made in the temporal muscle. Thetip of the coronoid process of mandible was excised as well and removedwith a fine rongeur. Craniectomy was made with a dental drill at thejunction between the median wall and the roof of the inferotemporalfossa.

The dura matter was opened carefully using a 27 gauge needle The MCA waspermanently occluded by microbipolar coagulation at low power setting,beginning 2-3 mm medial to the olfactory tract between its corticalbranch to the rhinal cortex and the laterate striate arteries. Aftercoagulation, the MCA was severed with microscissors and divided toensure complete occlusion. Following this, the temporalis muscle wassutured and laid over the craniectomy site. The skin was closed with arunning 3-0 silk suture. A sham craniectomy operation was performed on aparallel group of rats, but without cauterization of the MCA.

During the entire surgical operation (20-25 min) in either group, bodytemperature was maintained at 37 to 38° C. by means of abody-temperature regulator (Kyoristsu, Japan) consisting of aself-regulating heating pad connected to a rectal thermistor. At 24 and48 hours post surgery a neurological score was taken in order to assessthe severity of the injury in the drug-treated rats with respect totheir untreated controls.

Drugs were administered as an s.c. injection, according to the followingschedule:

Compound 24: 7.8 mg/kg 15 minutes prior to MCA-O and 6.5 mg/kg 2 hourspost MCA-O.

Compound 25: 43 mg/kg 90 minutes prior to MCA-O and 30 mg/kg 3 hourspost MCA-O.

After 48 hours of ischemia induced by permanent occlusion morphometric,the animals-were anesthetized with Equitesine and measurement of infarctvolume was performed as follows by TTC (2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazoliumchloride) staining. TTC 1% in saline was prepared immediately before useand protected from exposure to light by aluminum foil wrap. MCA-O ratswere deeply anesthetized and a 23-gauge butterfly needle with anextended tubing and a 20 ml syringe was inserted into the ventricle viathoracotomy. The right atrium was incised to allow outflow of saline.Heparine 50 i.u. in saline was delivered until the perfusate wasbloodless. A 30-ml TTC-filled syringe was exchanged for the salinesyringe and TTC was injected into the left ventricle at a rate of 5ml/min. Both perfusate solutions were administered at 37.5° C. Thebrains were removed and immersed into 20 ml of 1% TTC contained intightly closed glass vials. These were further placed for 2 hours in awater bath maintained at 37° C. The TTC solution was decanted, thebrains removed, wiped dry and placed into 10% buffered formalin solutionfor 3 days. Six coronal slices each 2 mm thick, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 mmdistal from the frontal pole were obtained with a brain matrix (HarvardApparatus, South Natick, Mass.). Infarction areas were measured with avideo imaging and analyzer from both sides of the coronal slices andexpressed in mm². The volume of the infarcted region in mm wascalculated by taking the sum of the ischemic areas in all six slices.The volume of infarcted region for the saline control and compounds 24or 25 are given in Table 15a.

Neurological Score

The neurological score was measured in a manner slightly different fromthat given in Example 3. This method consists of the sum total of aseries of ratings assigned to the performance of specific locomotoractivities in a given rat. The scale runs from 0 (fully normal rats) to13 (fully incapacitated rats). Most parameters are rated as either 0(normal), or 1 (incapacitated) others are graded. The following testswere used in the present study:

General observation tests: hypoactivity, sedation, piloerection.

Motor reflex. Rats were lifted by the tail about 15 cm above the floor.Normal rats assume a posture in which they extend both forelimbs towardsthe floor and spread that hind limbs to the sides in a trapeze-likemanner. MCAO, when severe, causes consistent flexion of thecontralateral limb.

Motor ability. This is seen as the ability to grasp a rod 1 cm indiameter by the contralateral limb for 5-15 sec when the rat is lefthanging on the rod through the arm pit.

Motor coordination. Normal rats are able to walk up and down a beam, 5cm wide placed at a moderate slant. Failure to walk the beam in eitherdirection reveals some motor incoordination, lack of balance and limbweakness.

Gait. Ability to restore normal position to either hand contralateral orfore contralateral limb when intentionally displaced while on a narrowbeam.

Balance. Ability to grasp and balance on a narrow beam 2 cm wide.

Locomotor activity. Total movements over a period of 15 min in anautomated activity cage.

Ratings assigned to each of the above parameters are given in Table 15.

TABLE 15 Neurological scoers assigned to each of 10 parameters ofposture and locomotion Parameter Score a. Activity in home cage normal =0 hypoactive = 1 b. Sedation none = 0 marked = 1 c. Piloerection none =0 marked = 1 d. Extension of contralateral good = 0 flexed limb = 1forelimb towards floor when lifted by tail e. Spread of contralateralgood = 0 flexed limb = 1 hind limb when lifted by tails (trapezoidposture) f. Grasp rod with contra- good = 0 poor = 1 lateral limb for5-15 sec. when suspended by armpit g. Walk on beam 5 cm wide good = 0poor = 1 h. Resoration of contra- good = 0 poor = lateral hind and/or 1(one limb) forelimb to original 2 (two limbs) position whenintentionally displaced i. Grasping & balance on good = 0 poor = 1 beam2 cm wide j. Motor activity with  0-25% of control = 3 respect tocontrol 26-50% of control = 2 (15 min in activity cage) 51-75% ofcontrol = 1 76-100% of control = 0 k. Tendency to lean on 1contralateral side l. Contralateral circling 1 when pulled by tail m.Contralateral circling 1 spontaneous.

Table 15a shows the effect of compounds 24 and 25 in this model,comparing the change in NSS measured in 24 and 48 hours post injury.

TABLE 15a Volume infarction Compound ΔNSS* Mean ± SD mm⁻ Saline 0.745211 ± 75 24 1.625 152 ± 45 25 1.78  189 ± 54 *Difference in ΔNSSmeasured at 24 hours and 48 hours. From this it can be seen thatcompounds 24 and 25 have a longer lasting effect than the saline treatedcontrol.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating a subject suffering fromdepression comprising administering to the subject a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a compound having the structure:

wherein when a is 0, b is 1 or 2; wherein when a is 1, b is 1, m is 0-3,X is O or S, Y is halogeno, R1 is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, R2 ishydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, or optionally substituted propargyl and R3 and R4are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl orC₆₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, each optionally substituted, a racemic mixture, anenantiomer, or salt thereof, to thereby treat the subject's depression.2. The method of claim 1 wherein the enantiomer is the R enantiomer. 3.The method of claim 1 wherein the enantiomer is the S enantiomer.
 4. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the compound has the structure:


5. The method of claim 4 wherein the enantiomer is the R enantiomer. 6.The method of claim 4 wherein the enantiomer is the S enantiomer.
 7. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the compound has the structure:


8. The method of claim 7 wherein the enantiomer is the R enantiomer. 9.The method of claim 7 wherein the enantiomer is the S enantiomer.
 10. Amethod of selectively inhibiting monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity inthe brain of a subject in need of such inhibition comprisingadministering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of acompound having the structure:

wherein when a is 0, b is 1 or 2; wherein when a is 1, b is 1, m is 0-3,X is O or S, Y is halogeno, R1 is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, R2 ishydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, or optionally substituted propargyl and R3 and R4are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl orC₆₋₁₂ cycloalkyl each optionally substituted, a racemic mixture, anenantiomer, or salts thereof to thereby selectively inhibit MAO-Bactivity in the brain of the subject.
 11. The method of claim 10 whereinthe enantiomer is the R enantiomer.
 12. The method of claim 10 whereinthe enantiomer is the S enantiomer.
 13. The method of claim 10 whereinthe compound has the structure:


14. The method of claim 13 wherein the enantiomer is the R enantiomer.15. The method of claim 13 wherein the enantiomer is the S enantiomer.16. The method of claim 10 wherein the compound has the structure:


17. The method of claim 16 wherein the enantiomer is the R enantiomer.18. The method of claim 16 wherein the enantiomer is the S enantiomer.19. A method of treating a subject suffering from depression comprisingadministering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising atherapeutically effective amount of a compound having the structure:

wherein when a is 0, b is 1 or 2; and wherein when a is 1, b is 1, m is0-3, X is O or S, Y is halogeno, R1 is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, R2 ishydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, or optionally substituted propargyl and R3 and R4are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₈ alkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl orC₆₋₁₂ cycloalkyl, each optionally substituted, a racemic mixture, anenantiomer, or salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,to thereby treat the subject's depression.
 20. The method of claim 19wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a solid and thetherapeutically effective amount is an amount from about 0.5 mg to about2000 mg.
 21. The method of claim 19 wherein the pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier is a liquid and the therapeutically effective amountis an amount from about 0.5 mg to about 2000 mg.
 22. The method of claim19 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a gel and thetherapeutically effective amount is an amount from about 0.5 mg to about2000 mg.
 23. The method of claim 19 wherein the therapeuticallyeffective amount is an amount from about 1 mg to about 1000 mg.
 24. Amethod of selectively inhibiting monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity inthe brain of a subject in need of such inhibition comprisingadministering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising atherapeutically effective amount of a compound having the structure:

wherein when a is 0, b is 1 or 2; and wherein when a is 1, b is 1, m is0-3, X is O or S, Y is halogeno, R1 is hydrogen or C₁₋₄ alkyl, R2 ishydrogen, C₁₋₄ alkyl, or optionally substituted propargyl and R3 and R4are each independently hydrogen, C₁₋₈alkyl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl, C₆₋₁₂ aryl orC₆₋₁₂ cycloalkyl each optionally substituted, a racemic mixture, anenantiomer, or salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,to thereby selectively inhibit MAO-B activity in the brain of thesubject.
 25. The method of claim 24 wherein the pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier is a solid and the therapeutically effective amountis an amount from about 0.5 mg to about 2000 mg.
 26. The method of claim24 wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a liquid and thetherapeutically effective amount is an amount from about 0.5 mg to about2000 mg.
 27. The method of claim 24 wherein the pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier is a gel and the therapeutically effective amount isan amount from about 0.5 mg to about 2000 mg.
 28. The method of claim 24wherein the therapeutically effective amount is an amount from about 1mg to about 1000 mg.